A letter from Jon Yaged, President, Macmillan Publishers:
In September 2017, Jamie Raab and Deb Futter started Celadon Books from a shared workspace on the top floor of the Flatiron Building. The goal was to publish books of quality with commercial appeal in order to create a highly curated list that was at once classic, uncommon, and encouraged new voices. Their first title, The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides, was a runaway hit and a springboard for their continuing success.
I am happy to announce that Celadon is advancing to a new stage in its evolution. Jamie Raab is stepping down as President to take on a new role as Publisher-at-Large, Macmillan Publishers and Deb Futter is being named President and Publisher, Celadon Books.
In my conversations with Jamie she has said, “It's been exciting to watch Celadon meet and exceed our initial expectations. As the world changed over the past year or two, I found myself ready for a change as well."
Deb is an inseparable part of the success Celadon has enjoyed since its inception. She has acquired and edited many of Celadon’s bestselling authors, including, among others, the #1 New York Times bestsellers Wolfpack by Abby Wambach and A Wealth of Pigeons by Steve Martin and Harry Bliss, as well as the New York Times bestsellers The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz, Finding Freedom by Erin French, We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange, and the New York Times Notable Book of the Year, Saint X by Alexis Schaitkin. Upcoming authors include Ina Garten and Valerie Biden Owens. Her pragmatic approach to leadership, editorial prowess, and passion for her authors and team are the perfect combination to continue Celadon’s stellar trajectory.
Prior to joining Macmillan, Deb was the Publisher of Twelve and Vice President and Editor-in-Chief of Grand Central Publishing, where she worked with such authors as: Pete Dexter, Barbara Ehrenreich, Jane Hamilton, Noah Hawley, Jean Hanff Korelitz, Min Jin Lee, Carole King, Steve Martin, Patricia Marx, and Scott Turow. Deb joined Grand Central Publishing after spending 25 years at various Random House imprints. Some of the authors she edited there include Peggy Orenstein, Jonathan Dee, Katie Couric, Jennifer Finney Boylan, Ann Hood, Steve Martin and Roz Chast, Patrick McGrath, and Deborah Tannen, among many others.
In Jamie’s new role as Publisher-at-Large for Macmillan Publishers, she will acquire books across all imprints as well as work on strategic initiatives. She will also edit the books she currently has under contract at Celadon. Macmillan will continue to benefit from Jamie’s exquisite taste, incisive and thoughtful approach to the publishing process, and unflappable style. I look forward to working closely with her in this new role.
At Celadon, Jamie acquired and edited the New York Times bestsellers The Book of Hope by Jane Goodall and Douglas Carlton Abrams, Undaunted by John O. Brennan, Hollywood Park by Mikel Jollett, and When Harry Met Minnie by Martha Teischner, as well as Permission to Feel by Marc Brackett and the forthcoming Kingdoms of Savannah by George Dawes Green, among other titles. Prior to joining Macmillan, Jamie was the President and Publisher of Grand Central Publishing, an imprint of Hachette Book Group. In that role, she directed the publication of over 200 titles per year on Grand Central Publishing’s hardcover, trade paperback, and mass market lists. Jamie was also responsible for overseeing the publishing activities of its imprints, including Twelve, Grand Central Life & Style, and Forever, which were created during her tenure.
Throughout her career, Jamie has acquired and/or edited a wide range of fiction and nonfiction titles, including works by Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart, Nicholas Sparks, Michael Moore, Nelson DeMille, Robin Roberts, Amy Sedaris, Sandra Brown, Brad Meltzer, Anne Rivers Siddons, Billie Letts, Rafael Yglesias, Dr. Jane Goodall, Admiral William McRaven, and Al Franken.